Full of intricately carved terracotta and laterite temples, Vishnupur in West Bengal, is easily accessed through Calcutta. A couple of nights spent here will acquaint you with an array of terracotta and other indigenous artforms.

Temples like the doubled roofed Jor Bangla, the intricately carved Madanmohan temple, the pyramidal Raas Mancha, all dating back to the 17th century, preserve the barely-known Bengal style of architecture. Delve into the crowded marketplace and ask to be shown to the houses of the artisans making shellware and bell metal products, the weaver's colony making the 'Baluchari' silk sarees known for their story-telling motifs as well as be directed to the few remaining households still making the beautifully painted scrolls and an ancient pack of 108 playing cards.

To see the terracotta artists at work, you have to take a bus or hire a car to go to Panchmura, a village about 35 kilometres away. But terracotta artwares are sold in Vishnupur, specially in winter you'll find hundred of shacks set up around the popular tourist points. Known as the 'Bankura Horse', this long-necked, equine doll is a very popularly bought item.

During the Christmas week, Vishnupur hosts an annual cultural event which is very popular with local visitors. During mid August, amateur snake charmers from West Bengal, Tripura and Bangladesh gather here for an annual festival called Jhapan.

BASICS

STD Code: 03244.
Air: Calcutta. Then by bus or train.

Rail: Vishnupur is an important junction on the eastern railway route and has a number of trains travelling from Calcutta.

Road: Major distances:
Calcutta-- 151 kilometres
Kharagpur-- 81 kilometres
There are regular buses to Vishnupur from Calcutta. But the road conditions are not always ideal. Hence it is better to take a train.

Best time: Winter.

Local transport: Cyclerickshaws, private cars.

Contact: West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation
Tourism Centre
3/2, B. B. D. Bagh (E)
Calcutta-700 071
Tel: (033) 248-5917